SALISBURY, Md. — Averett University softball dominated Salisbury University 11-2 in five innings, but the Cougars couldn't overcome one bad inning in a 5-4 loss in Game 2 of the non-conference doubleheader on Tuesday.

Averett (10-10) had little trouble with Salisbury (5-7) in the opener. Tied 1-1 in the second, senior Jessica Long crushed a bases-clearing three-run double to left-center to put the Cougars ahead 4-1. Sophomore Andrea Grant followed the next inning with a two-run blast, her third of the season.

Ahead 6-1, Averett tacked on five more runs in the fifth inning on a pair of RBI singles by freshman Casey Cook and sophomore Taylor Hodges and a three-run triple by Long. Although the Sea Gulls scored a run in the bottom of the fifth, it wasn't enough to stop the game from ending early due to the eight-run rule.

Long finished 3-for-4 with six RBIs and Cook was 2-for-2 with two RBIs.

Freshman right-hander Taylor Bailey (5-5) got the win, striking out three in five innings.

Averett's offense initially carried over into Game 2. The Cougars took a 3-0 lead over Salisbury in the top of the third thanks to an RBI fielder's choice, an RBI groundout and Cook's RBI double down the left field line. The Sea Gulls, however, answered with five runs in the bottom of the frame to take control. Salisbury drew a leadoff walk and had another batter reach on an error to set up a two-run double by LeAnne Collins. Collins later scored to tie the game, 3-3, and the Sea Gulls took the lead on Emily Allen's two-run homer moments later.

The Cougars got within 5-4 on freshman Kaitlyn Aherron's RBI double to left field in the fifth, but they couldn't get any closer.

Averett continues its Maryland road trip with a Wednesday doubleheader at Washington College.